The penalty against City was a professional foul. If Tevez got away from Hooiveld, he had a run on goal and probably would have scored. Tevez is quick with good ability on the ball and asking Hooiveld to win the ball with Tevez running across him is asking the impossible. I'm not trying to make excuses, just to reduce the stick given to Hooiveld when he's under more pressure than he should be clearing up someone else's mess. Clyne poor defensively? Where does that come from? He had Wellbeck in his pocket until Fergie took him off.
He had little choice but to concede the penalty against Tevez but that was because of poor positioning. If it was as impossible to defend against Tevez in those situations as you claim then we'd have conceded about thirty goals. I agree on Clyne though, I've been impressed with him defensively this season.
It never ceases to amaze me about how fickle some Saints fans are, Jose, Jos and Fox have gone from promotion winning heroes to zeros within 3 games, 2 of which were against the top 2 teams in the country and the other against the form team at the end of last season. Before the games against Manure and Citeh most people on here were predicting heavy defeats (4 and 5-0), the team have actually exceeded most fan's expectations by conceding 8 goals in 3 games.
Where should Hooiveld be for defending against Tevez? If Hooiveld showed Tevez the inside, he would have taken that with a similar outcome. He's not doing much wrong and is simply outwitted and outnumbered by a good piece of play. Can't be too harsh on him for that.
